The. brought on by underpinning problems like poverty, corruption, and lack of Since the end of the Cold War, the United Stateshas, to a large extent, allowed the organic development of democratic practice to thrive in Africa. Several nations, like Botswana and South Africa, have effectively enacted However, if African countries are to use elections to consolidate and entrench democracy, they must make certain that incumbent leaders are not able to (i) change national constitutions to eliminate term and age limits for presidents (as noted above) and other protections that guard the president against various forms of opportunism (as currently taking place in Zambia); (ii) mandate registration fees for candidates seeking to stand for political office, including the presidency, that are beyond the reach of many citizens; (iii) interfere with freedom of the press in ways that make it very difficult for the press to check on the government, provide citizens information about elections, and serve as a platform for the opposition to bring their message to voters; and (iv) use security forces to intimidate and strangle the opposition. In addition to the countries discussed above, I would also like to make a special appeal that we collectively pay attention to national elections planned for later this year in Zambia. In South Africa, it is believed that the creation of new democratic structures at the end of Apartheid has contributed significantly to the deterioration in traditional resource regulation and this in This may be fulfilled through backing Its a complicated answer. It is likely that the Concerns over the selection of voting delegates and election officials, and fears of potential bias, have also contributed to the impasse. During the tense 2021 preelection period, for example, young Zambian protesters trekked to undisclosed locations and broadcast their activities live on social media. The plans announced last week to allow humanitarian organizations and independent media access into Tigray, are also critical to provide a full, independent and accurate picture of the humanitarian and human rights conditions in the region. In many of the African states, the executive tramples over the judicial and legislative arms of government because those in the executive arm do not have the patience for the complex work of democratic rule. The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a 'Maharatna' and a Fortune Global 500 Company, today announced that Shri G. Krishnakumar has taken over as the Chairman and Managing Director of the company. Most people accepted that the way to run African politiesand by polities, I mean stateswas through democratic rule. April 12, 2021. Another paradox is Rwanda, a democracy in name that has to some extent an effective and bureaucratically rational government but is run by a democratically elected president who seems to be using elections as a way to perpetuate himself in power. 1 (202) 728-5500Email Jerry , Sign up and get the latest news and publications from NDI, National Democratic Institute455 Massachusetts Ave, NW, 8th FloorWashington, DC 20001-2621Phone: 202-728-5500Fax: 888-875-2887, Copyright 2023 - National Democratic Institute - All rights reserved, The recent presidential election in Uganda was unfortunately marked by significant limitations on the activities of international organizations, media and national civil society groups. As mentioned earlier, NDI and IRI will conduct virtual international pre-election assessment activities while continuing to assess possibilities of fielding in-person teams on election day. WebHello, world! WebDownload or read book The challenges of democratic transition in South Africa written by Simon Bekker and published by Centro de Estudos Internacionais do Instituto in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) bode poorly for elections next year. Introduction Education is a fundamental human right and a key means of attaining social and economic advancement. Cheeseman, Nicholas, ed. Trust is also lost when electoral authorities, which are key to ensuring efficient and credible contests, are not independent, transparent, or effective. Cybersecurity laws that violate privacy and free expression, broad antiterrorism laws that curtail free assembly and association, and laws that limit nongovernmental organizations have been introduced in countries like Eswatini, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, some of those attempts at creating a viable democratic state have been subverted by internal elements as much as by external elements. WebFifth, the health of democracy in Africa is intimately tied to the state of democracy, if not the rhetoric of democracy worldwide. Unemployment and underemployment. Angolan and Zambian youths creatively challenged their governments authoritarian actions using social media. - Council on Foreign In Cte dIvoire, Alassane Ouattara is serving a third presidential term after changing the constitution. bolstering the rule of law. enhance the quality and stability of democracy. But the same is also true in Nigeria and Zimbabwe in 2023. WebSix successful African coups have occurred since 2020, which stressed the duty to protect Americans in those countries and undermined efforts to foster democracy and rule of law. In consultation with other international organizations that adhere to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, NDI rapidly developed techniques for: (a) virtual long-term analysts to focus on key electoral integrity themes in partnership with country offices and partners; (b) virtual pre-election assessments teams to conduct intensive interviews with electoral stakeholders and offer recommendations; and (c) key national electoral stakeholders to hold virtual roundtables with experts and policy influencers in Washington and elsewhere to increase the prospects for recommendations being timely implemented. The voting process itself can be marred by pervasive political intolerance. Since 1985, when the National Democratic Institute (NDI) conducted its first activity in Africa, the Institute has worked in 43 African countries, and on a wide variety of programs to strengthen democratic development, including achieving credible, peaceful elections. With support from USAID, the State Department and the National Endowment for Democracy, NDI, IRI and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) are working alongside the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and other international partners to support the election process in Ethiopia. At the same time, free and frequent elections as a constraint to governmental tyranny are a necessary but not sufficient condition to guarantee and guard liberty. WebThe Challenges of Democratisation in Africa: Evidence and the Way Forward for Nigeria Lere AMUSAN*& Ademola JEGEDE**& Luqman SAKA*** Abstract Democracy is perhaps the most popular political norm in modern discourse. Free and frequent elections as a constraint to governmental tyranny are a necessary but not sufficient condition to guarantee and guard liberty. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. The varied challenges facing the United States are illustrated by its activities in Somalia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Ethiopia. As we engage with partners across Africa, and especially in the countries set to hold national elections this year, a number of recommendations come to mind, based on the above-listed cases. Nonetheless, several nations have had difficulty Unfortunately, adherence to the charter remains a challenge for many governments. In this episode, our host Yuval Katz discusses the book The Ethics of Engagement: Media, Conflict and Read the explainer Democracy in Nigeria It was deeply concerning. One concrete way to enhance electoral participation is to provide electors information about all the issues that must be decided by the election. The dialogue was organized as a partnership event, under the overall stewardship of the Department of Political Affairs, African Union Commission (AUC). Lack of economic development. In response to numerous requests, NDI redesigned its electoral assistance, providing guidance based on our global experience. 2 In other words, the promotion of democracy in Africa was part of the so-called peace dividend. Young people who yearn for reform are the continents biggest drivers of change. Sudanese general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan dissolved a transitional government that succeeded the dictatorial regime of Omar al-Bashir, while former general Mahamat Idriss Dby unconstitutionally leads a military-dominated transitional council in Chad. WebSix successful African coups have occurred since 2020, which stressed the duty to protect Americans in those countries and undermined efforts to foster democracy and rule of law. By expressly recognizing the language of each of its various ethnocultural groups and providing them election information in their own language, the South African government significantly increased the participation of these groups in elections and, as a result, in governance generally. New York: Cambridge Univ. In most African countries, where most citizens are not fluent in their countries national language (e.g., French or English), the government should provide election-related information to citizens in a language that they can understand. This is the Global Media & Communication podcast series. Some scholars have described what we have now as hybrid democracies, because theres a large number of authoritarian institutions and leaders dominating many polities, and they constitute the core of the ruling elite. Such political competition can contribute significantly to improving the quality of elections and more effectively entrench constitutional democracy. Angolan and Zambian youths creatively challenged their governments authoritarian actions using social media. abecedarian services like healthcare, education, and other musts, which can Another challenge is the absence of a clear investment by the political elite in the mess, the true mess, of democratic politics. Major problems/Challenges of Democracy in Africa 1. In this regard, affirming support for fundamental human rights and liberties, guaranteeing media freedoms, broadening civic space, adhering to a human rights-based approach in securing the elections and instituting measures to ensure transparency, inclusion and accountability will be critically important. Africa therefore needs democracy for food and democracy for development sake. Antidiscrimination laws that do exist are not well enforced. difficulties. Cabo Verde, a stable democracy, has also decriminalized same-sex activity. These institutions, and others not mentioned, deserve the support of Ethiopian citizens, authorities, political parties and international partners to ensure a credible process. In addition, these and other recent institutional changes have created conditions that make it very difficult for the opposition to participate competitively in elections. Entrenching democracy in African countries: Policy imperatives for leaders in 2021, From the electoral processes to democracy in Africa: Avenues to bridge the gap, Accountability and demand for democracy drive leadership changes in Africa, leaders of 13 African countries have evaded or overseen the further weakening, untimely death of his partys chosen candidate, inclusive language recognition is linked to higher turnout, significantly increased the participation, Senegals democratic backsliding is a threat to African democracy, Zambias success will be Africas success. For example, citizens must be able to freely and peacefully protest or support government policies or decisions, including those related to elections. This book was released on 1995-01-02 with total page 18 pages. However, enforcement of the constitutions provisions is weakening; citizens consequently experience high rates of gender-based violence, xenophobia, and violence against LGBT+ people. Democratization in Africa still faces many challenges, but if certain conditions are met democracy will have a chance to sustain and thrive. Political Development Developing countries International relations Democratization Topic Political Systems Political Instability This essay seeks to explain the seeming persistence of political instability in Africa, in spite of the rapid spread of liberal democracy in the 1980s and 1990s. , a stable democracy, has also decriminalized same-sex activity. Afghanistan Human Rights Coordination Mechanism, Emergency Assistance and Thematic Programs. In each country in the world, groups or factions whose interests may not be in line with those of the country as a whole certainly exist. I think that there have been occasions in African histories since the end of colonialism that showed clearly the capacity to triumph over this legacy. The Institute has also invested heavily in facilitating peer networks within Africa and connecting them to similar networks on other continents around the globe. In addition, where there is adequate protection for free speech and a free press, as well as freedom for the opposition to campaign unimpeded, citizens can form political organizations to compete for positions in government. These nations are seen Electoral Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Web- Peter Woodward in the LUCAS Bulletin Through theoretical and empirical analyses, the contributors to Ethnicity and Democracy in Africa refreshingly and convincingly remind us instead that ethnic attachments and democracy need not be mutually exclusive. The disagreements have also drawn in opposition presidential candidates. WebThe principal governance challenge facing Africa is how to enhance a self-nourishing relationship between authority, accountability and responsibility. Yet, a terrible signal is being sent to African countries when a country invades another for absolutely no reason. However, it must be noted that despite its limited influence in Africa since the end of the Cold War, Russia has been making efforts to expand its influence in Africa in recent times. African presidents are often lambasted for being corrupt and self Prodemocracy reforms hit Africa like a tidal wave in the 1990s, sweeping away authoritarian regimes and the one-party system that had dominated the African scene Residents of the Sahel region and parts of the Horn of Africa face continued insecurity, instability, and armed conflict. The future political development of a country depends on the trust of the population in an honest and efficient government and in the economic success of their state. How African Democracies Can Rise and Thrive Amid Instability, Militarization, and Interference. inadequate services Unfortunately, South Africa seems to be going away from those foundational ideals, so, in terms of the practices, it is quite challenging. Last but not least, poor structure and services are a problem in In the long-term, there is a pressing need to build Somalias democratic institutions, including an independent judiciary, strengthening the constitutionally mandated election commission, building the capacity of civil society to engage in the countrys democratic process, and supporting efforts to broaden the franchise to all citizens. They changed the means for accessing power, and because these forces became dominant in many democratic polities, it meant that some of the most vital institutions and processes that would otherwise deepen democracy were not, in fact, truly democratic institutions and processes. Four of these -- Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and Uganda -- are in the greater Horn of Africa. The Regional Dialogue on Emerging Trends and Challenges of Electoral Democracy in Africa was held His research and teaching focus on the social mobilization of power and interests in Africa. As a result, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) organized regional elections in September 2020, arguably in breach of the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBEs) constitutional mandate, contributing to divisions that escalated to the current crisis. Zambians overcame a repressive political environment to elect opposition presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema last year. South Africainstitutionally, formally, and constitutionally speakingis also a good example. In countries such as Burundi and Uganda, incumbents used the pandemic to strengthen their grip on power as they conducted elections, using public health measures to restrict competition, undercut opposition efforts to mobilize their supporters, and restrict election observation. The stability and performance of African democracies vary widely. The fact that many African countries have triumphed over that contestation by choosing democratic rule, plural, multiparty democracy, means that that matter was resolved in a significant way. 1 Freedom House, "Electoral Democracies," in Freedom in the World 2010, available at w .fr e domh u sg / pl ai 10E ct D FIW2 transformation into a stable democracy has been one of Africas success stories. Finally, African elections remain zero-sum games. and advancing the rights of vulnerable groups like nonages and women. Moreover, there are actions that In order to assure a better future for The presence of multiple security forces and militia with divided loyalties to either the FGS or the regional governments also increases risk of violent confrontations. Perhaps this is responsible for the decision of some African countries to abstain from the votes to condemn Russias action at the United Nations. Postcolonial leaders of Africa, south of the Sahara have struggled desperately to live up to their political expectationsa reason why many would argue, results in the snail pace development of their respective countries. Despite the challenges and concerns I have shared, there are also many positive examples from Africa that affirm the important role of elections in facilitating peaceful competition for political power, strengthening democracy and advancing human dignity for all. Web3. Ultimately, citizens will view elections as credible when their governing institutions behave credibly. The country votes this weekend. share in the popular process. Significantly, they challenged repressive restrictions and demanded accountability at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The EAC mission, Ethiopia faces particular challenges with regards to its broader security context and the high number of internally displaced persons within the country and refugees from neighboring countries. in this months presidential poll, and in Angola, where elections are scheduled for late August. SHARE. a February coup attempt. School of Arts & SciencesUniversity of Pennsylvania3600 Market Street, Suite 300Philadelphia, PA 19104-3284Phone: 215-746-1232Fax: 215-573-2096Email: omnia-penn@sas.upenn.edu, 2023 Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts & Sciences. problems like inequality and poverty, which may encourage further people to We have seen examples of this in Eswatini, Nigeria, Uganda, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. As a result, elections initially planned for February have now been delayed. Having invested heavily in efforts to stabilize Somalia, the international community should envisage taking on a more robust role as a trusted guarantor of agreements reached between the parties. Understanding the current state of democracy in African nations is crucial for identifying growth barriers and possibilities. Additionally, Africans express a stout preference for democracy when they respond to Afrobarometers surveys. The institutional environmentone in which liberties and political rights are guaranteed and protectedin which elections are held is also critical for a successful democracy. The stakes are often very high, as the political elite compete to control valuable natural resources. Because up to the late 1980s and early 1990s, there was a contestation about the premise of democratic governance as a way to rule society in Africa. A chance where black people are being able to make choices for themselves, to literate and liberate themselves. 808 certified writers online. Returning to South Africa, its judiciary, civil society, and media still act as a collective bulwark against government attempts to weaken key institutions. structure enterprise and expanding access to healthcare and education. effectiveness of democracy in African nations. The international community should continue to encourage full implementation of those plans throughout all of the Tigray region, without geographical restrictions. We spoke with him about the successes and challenges of democratic reform in post-Cold War Africa. The global COVID-19 pandemic compounded the complexities faced by emerging democracies in resolving the competition for political power through credible, peaceful elections. Democracy for South African citizens is seen as change. As things stand now, there are critical problems in most of these polities, but there are also emergent patterns that I think hold hope for the possibility of the democratic experiments to survive and even thrive. Unemployment in sub-Saharan Africa stands at around 6%, according to the International Labour Organization. In some cases, governments faced shortages of personal protective equipment, confronted additional needs for civic education on electoral participation in a health crisis, and tried to conduct voting and ballot counting in ways that protected voters and poll workers while still being transparent enough to earn public trust. In many democratic countries, the political leaders, officers, tend to be corrupt, Role of Anti-Social Elements. But the same is also true in Nigeria and Zimbabwe in 2023. In 2019, for example, the. The reality of it is far more troubling, but South Africa has perhaps the most robust and truly democratic constitution in the world. can also affect in poverty, which can make it harder for people to share in It has resulted in a lack of coherence in political communication by state actors. In August, as Angolan and Kenyan voters cast their ballots, we interviewed Freedom House's new director of Africa programs, Tiseke Kasambala, to learn more about the state of democracy in Africa and what citizens are doing to defend and extend democratic rule. campaign went viral and, coupled with demonstrations, pressured the authorities to disband the squad. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Regional Director forSouthern and East Africa. decriminalized such conduct by adopting a new penal code with nondiscrimination provisions. I think the greater responsibility lies with social forces within African states. More than a dozen national elections are scheduled in Africa this year. Africa was a pawn in the great chess game between the United States (democracy) and the Soviet Union (communism). The report highlights five interconnected risks impacting countries across the continent. In Ghana, former president John Mahama respected the Supreme Courts decision to uphold Nana Akufo-Addos electoral victory in 2020. future and speculate on what it could hold for African democracy. This is simply because people do not eat democracy. Residents of the Sahel region and parts of the Horn of Africa face continued insecurity, instability, and armed conflict. Africa has consequently seen an explosion of NGO, public order, and counterterrorism laws that are used to harass and persecute democracy groups and Similarly, civil society groups are committed to playing an important role in the process through voter education and citizen election observation. During the Malawi elections in June 2020, and the Ghana elections in December 2020, citizen observers had to adopt innovative approaches in order to adhere to public health safety requirements and international observers had to develop innovative virtual techniques to compensate for travel restrictions. In this regard, I see a strong role for the international community, particularly the AU with support from the United Nations, with possible dividends in securing regional stability, bolstering counterterrorism efforts and contributing to Somalias economic development. Freedom of communications is needed, including preventing opportunities for sowing disinformation. Kenyan and Malawian courts recently annulled flawed election results and restored electoral integrity. Whats Happening to Democracy in Africa? it's pivotal to break these enterprises. In Nigeria, young activists led the campaign against the brutal practices of the governments Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). To combat the abuse of the rights of minorities by majoritiesthat is, to minimize majoritarian tyrannya country can create a governmental system in which the people are sovereign but government power and the exercise of it is limited by the constitution, which includes provisions to explicitly protect individual rights, to instill separation of powers through checks and balances, and to enshrine popular sovereignty through elections. establishing and sustaining democratic forms of administration. for only $16.05 $11/page. This may be fulfilled through making sure that Webpractical solutions to challenges affecting Africa. Encouraging dialogue, consensus building and trust-building among Ethiopian political leaders, exemplified by recent discussions between Prime Minister Abiy and some opposition political parties, are important. sum up. Notably: II:To international partners, including the U.S. Congress: Madam Chair, once more, let me thank you, Ranking Member Smith, and all the members of this distinguished Subcommittee for the important work you are doing to advance democracy and human dignity for all, the consistent support for our work at NDI, and for the invitation to share my testimony with you today. Wale Adebanwi in conversation with Wole Soyinka, Nigerian playwright, poet, Nobel Laureate, and pro-democracy activist. During the tense 2021 preelection period, for example, young Zambian protesters trekked to undisclosed locations and broadcast their activities live on social media. numerous African nations. These nations Africa's democracy face a wide range of intricate problems. In Ethiopia, the government postponed elections on account of the pandemic, a decision that was challenged by and exacerbated tensions with some of the countrys political groupings. But since the end of the Cold War, you can no longer make that excuse for many of these countries. Chinas main interests in Africa are the extraction of resources and the expansion of its global power. For example, authoritarian regimes in countries, such as Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, and Equatorial Guinea have used elections to legitimize their leaders and remain in power indefinitely. WebHello, world! The regional government insists that voting locations should not be in areas under the control of federal government forces. The European Union declined to send observers, noting that its prior recommendations had not been acted upon, and the U.S. Embassy decided not to deploy observers given restrictions on the numbers of accreditations alloted embassy staff. Western countries should do more to make it clear that they will not recognize any government that comes to power other than through free and fair elections. While some nations have successfully enacted democratic forms of administration, others have battled with corruption and political unrest. Q: Social movements and protests have been critical to facilitating democratic success in Africa. article. Many African leaders are still willing to use violence and oppression as a means of maintaining power, and many systems in Africa still allow for such abuses. And connecting them to similar networks on other continents around the globe accountability the. Or support government policies or decisions, including preventing opportunities for sowing disinformation but if certain conditions met... Thrive Amid Instability, Militarization, and armed conflict Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Africa, health., Nobel Laureate, and in Angola, where elections are held is true... Including those related to elections the successes and challenges of democratic reform in post-Cold War Africa During the pandemic. 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